Savannah MacKenzie Goodman

Savannah MacKenzie Goodman March 26, 1996 - December 19, 2016 Savannah Mackenzie Goodman, 20, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2016 at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC. She was born March 26, 1996. Van grew up in Jacksonville, FL. Savannah was an amazing soul who lived a life full of lists, goals, hopes, and dreams. She worked tirelessly to make them all happen while leaving a mark on the life of every person she touched. Savannah began dancing at the age of 3. She attended the three arts magnet schools, Pine Forest School of the Arts, LaVilla School of the Arts, and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. She graced the stage with her "Clara" in the Community Nutcracker. At that point Van made her decision to be a doctor. Again, a goal was set -Duke University! In 2014 Savannah became a Duke Blue Devil on a full scholarship and graduated valedictorian. Savannah possessed a love of learning that was unmatched by anyone. She hit the Duke campus in the fall that year and began leaving her mark. She was a Biology pre-med major with a dual minor in religion and chemistry. She worked in the wellness center, became EMS certified, held off campus jobs, gave campus tours, was involved in Jewish life, was a selected member of the on campus student disciplinary committee, worked in two different research labs, studied abroad in Singapore and St. Johns, and was a proud Duke basketball fan. Van was a generous spirit dedicating her time to many organizations including Dreams Come True, Camp Boggy Creek and the Immune Deficiency Foundation. Van was a wonderful cook and loved watching the Food Channel, especially "Chopped." More than anything though, Savannah loved her family. She is survived by her two loving moms, Michelle and Jill Herkel, Robert Goodman, father, sisters, Stella and Sofia, grandmother, Cathy Myers, uncle and aunt, Carl and Kim Moser, and the love of her life, Josh DiRisio. A celebration of Savannah's life will be held January 14, 2017 at 5pm at St. Johns Funeral Home, St. Augustine, FL. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Savannah's name be made either Camp Boggy Creek or the Immune Deficiency Foundation. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.